Chapter 4 #2
For one brief, treacherous moment, Elizabeth feared that if she did not step away now, she might never wish to do so—others in the room notwithstanding.
Drawing instead upon his strength, she remained in his embrace a moment longer before straightening her shoulders and stepping back.
Darcy appeared to understand at once, releasing her without comment, restoring the distance propriety demanded—though his gaze never wavered.
Elizabeth then turned to Georgiana.
“Miss Darcy,” she said, offering a smile that nearly reached her eyes, “despite the gravity of our errand, I am very much looking forward to joining you and your brother in your carriage tomorrow, if only that I may come to know you better.” She glanced towards Darcy, who nodded in encouragement.
“And I am even more pleased to know that I shall soon gain a sister. I hope, in time, that you may find some satisfaction in gaining one as well.”
Georgiana looked pleased at these words, her expression softening as though some concern had been eased—no doubt aided by Mrs Gardiner’s quiet attentions while her brother spoke to Elizabeth.
“Please, Miss Bennet, since we are to be sisters as soon as my brother can arrange it, might we address each other by our given names?” she asked quietly.
Georgiana was delighted by Elizabeth’s ready agreement to her request, and although the circumstances that had led to the Gardiners’ hasty departure from Lambton were far from ideal, she was still pleased to be able to support Elizabeth in her family’s time of need.
Over the next few days of travel, they would have time to deepen their connexion, and Georgiana could learn more about her soon-to-be sister.
Of course, she had been ecstatic when her brother first told her of his engagement to Elizabeth Bennet.
Having spent only a short time in that lady’s company, Georgiana had nevertheless been intrigued by her confidence—by the ease with which she regarded her brother without the awe so many displayed, and by the quiet firmness with which she had, on more than one occasion, put Caroline Bingley in her place.
The remembrance of that brought the faintest smile to Georgiana’s lips before she smoothed her expression once more.
It was late, and they were soon shown to their chambers.
Despite the note sent ahead that afternoon to secure rooms, there had been only three available, which meant that Elizabeth and Georgiana would need to share a room, with Mrs Annesley sleeping on a cot in the sitting room.
Georgiana was delighted by the arrangement and quickly expressed as much.
“Oh, that does not trouble me at all, Elizabeth,” she enthused.
“As you know, I do not have a sister, but I have dearly wished for one. I would find it quite delightful to share a chamber with you, and if Brother cannot find private lodgings for us in Meryton, perhaps I might stay with you then as well, if you would permit it.”
Elizabeth smiled kindly and glanced over at Darcy, who waited in the hall behind them, before replying.
“I can make no promises, Georgiana, for I do not yet know what I shall find when I arrive home. However, if it can be easily arranged, I should enjoy the opportunity. For now, perhaps we might begin by becoming better acquainted during our travels. Your brother has already offered me a place in your carriage tomorrow, but I would not accept it without first being certain you would welcome my company. With the days so long just now, we might easily reach Longbourn the day after tomorrow, and I shall need something to occupy my mind. Speaking with you would be an excellent distraction from my worries.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” Georgiana replied, hurrying into the room with a pleased expression on her face. “I should be delighted to have you join us.”
Elizabeth, meanwhile, waited until the servant had disappeared back down the stairs before moving.
Her aunt and uncle had already retired for the night, and Darcy—who had stepped briefly into his own chamber—reappeared a moment later.
Supposing that he wished to speak with her, Elizabeth lingered behind, smiling at Georgiana as she whispered, “I will be only a moment.”
“Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth asked, keeping her voice soft.
She did not wish to disturb her aunt and uncle—or anyone else who might be nearby—nor did she wish to risk harming her reputation by being caught speaking to a gentleman in the passageway at night, even if he was her intended.
Her family faced enough scrutiny as it was because of Lydia’s actions, and she had no desire to add to it.
“Forgive me, Elizabeth, but I wished for a moment alone with you,” he said, evidently mindful of the same considerations, for he kept his distance from her.
“The Bingleys are headed north. I told my friend that there was urgent business I must attend to in London, and he readily agreed to hasten his departure. His sister was somewhat less pleased, but for once, Bingley was firm with her and made it clear that she had little choice in the matter. I watched their carriage depart only moments before boarding my own.”
“You do have a way of leading your friend, do you not?” Elizabeth replied, a faint edge of asperity creeping into her tone.
“Bingley is still young, and this is the first time I have seen him take a firm stand with his sister,” Darcy replied. “I have encouraged him to do so before, but as you know, he had not been inclined.”
For a moment, they were both silent, and Elizabeth watched as he closed his eyes and leant back against the wall, as though gathering his thoughts. She had never seen him look so uncertain—or so vulnerable—and the realisation gave her pause.
“I have not yet spoken to him about Miss Bennet beyond apologising for my interference after we first visited you at the inn,” he said at last, his voice plainly troubled.
Elizabeth wondered whether he feared she might reject him again, and she longed for the opportunity to reassure him as he had reassured her so many times already.
“There has been no opportunity to do so before this visit, and I had intended to discuss the matter further with you before I spoke to him. He knew from something your aunt said that Miss Bennet had been in London, and I apologised for not revealing that I knew.”
He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “When you asked me not to raise the subject with him, I found myself uncertain if I ought to say anything at all to Bingley—even to encourage him to visit later once things are settled. I did not wish to distress you, nor bring further trouble to your family if things were not as they had been.”
He exhaled quietly. “I suppose I feared doing the wrong thing, whichever course I chose.”
Elizabeth took a small step nearer, lightly touching his arm before hastily withdrawing her hand, the gesture offering reassurance to him as much as to herself.
“I believe Jane does still care for him—or rather, she did before I left,” she said softly.
“Still, I think we must first see this crisis through before reintroducing them. Perhaps it would be better to do so after we are wed—we might invite them both to Pemberley, without Miss Bingley present to interfere.”
“Very well,” Darcy said. He hesitated, taking a step closer, but just as quickly drew back.
Then, after glancing once more down the passage, he leant in and pressed a swift kiss to her cheek, pulling away almost as soon as his lips touched her skin.
Again, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them, Elizabeth saw the depth of feeling shining unmistakably within them.
“I love you, Elizabeth,” he murmured.
“And I love you, Fitzwilliam,” she replied. Following his example, she looked both ways along the passage to be certain they were alone. Rising quickly onto her toes, she pressed a light kiss to his lips, and before he could respond, she slipped into her chamber and closed the door behind her.